In an alleyway between Commerce and Ionia avenues lies Stella's Lounge, where vintage arcade games, over 200 whiskies and substantial vegan (and non-vegan) fare are married into a single experience.

Stella's opened on May 1, 2010, the day Michigan became a smoke-free state. Since then, customers have enjoyed arcade games such as Ms. Pac Man, Tron, Punch-Out, Dig Dug and more, as well as a few pinball tables, too.

Menu items, cleverly named after classic punk, metal and alternative rock songs, range from appetizers (starting at $2.50), soups, salads, sandwiches (around $7) and larger platters to share. The vegan choices are plentiful and tasty and those looking for something not so animal friendly can find their meat and cheese fix (around $9) under the "Pet Cemetery" menu heading.

At the bar, patrons can order a number of beers from independently owned breweries--anything from a 24 oz. can of Colt 45 Malt Liquor in a paper sack to craft brews from Grand Rapids' own Founder's Brewing Company or Bellaire's Short's Brewery ($1.75-$4). Stella's Lounge boasts over 200 whiskies (rot gut starts at $3) and offers red and white wine ($4) and house made sangria and punch.

The ArtPrize art you'll see

Artist Erwin Erkfitz' mural piece, Chaotic Growth is Stella's only ArtPrize installation. The sprawling work stretches across the venue's brick interior and will eventually reach outside, said Stella's, HopCat and Viceroy ringleader Garry Boyd.

"During the first weekend of ArtPrize, September 24, 25 and 26, Erwin will do an outdoor installation on the Dweling Place. We'll set up scaffolding and he'll work on an 11-foot mural that will be kind of a continuation of the inside," Boyd said.

There will be DJs, vendors and food booths during thisoutside installation and an iPhone app designed to guide users through the story of Erkfitz' work.

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